Conor McDonald inspires Wexford to victory over Kildare in Under-21 hurling clash

Wexford 0-23 Kildare 0-14

Kildare put up a bold show in their first every appearance in the Bord Gáis Energy Under-21 hurling championship but in the end, they had no answer to the magnificence of Conor McDonald.

The hosts used a sweeper in a bid to nullify the influence of the powerful Naomh Éanna man but it proved in vain, as he scored 12 points.

Most significantly, eight of those arrived in the first half when last year’s All-Ireland B champions were at their most competitive and proving more than a match for their more vaunted opponents.

Far from awed, they led twice in the opening quarter thanks to points from the excellent Gerry Keegan and Liam Power but even then, the signs were ominous as McDonald racked up the visitors’ first four scores, all from play.

The teams were level six times in all in the opening half but three points from McDonald, who finished the first half with eight, gave Wexford a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

They imposed themselves in the second half, with McDonald receiving more scoring support, while Kildare were overly-reliant on Keegan’s accuracy from placed balls, although he did have a 54th minute penalty saved by Oliver O’Leary.

Scorers - Wexford: C McDonald 0-12(4fs); K Foley, S Murphy, J O'Connor, P Sutton 0-2 each; S Donohoe, J Cash, C Dunbar 0-1 each. Kildare: G Keegan 0-9(8fs); P Moran 0-2; G Johnson, R Casey, L Power 0-1 each

WEXFORD: O O'Leary; S Donohoe, L Ryan, E Conroy; A Kenny, J White, J O'Connor; C Devitt, T French; P Foley, P Sutton, S Kelly; S Murphy, C McDonald, K Foley. Subs: G Bailey for French (37), L McDonald for White (41), C Dunbar for Kelly (41), J Cash for Kenny (47), D Pepper for Donohoe (55), B Kelly for P Foley (56) Kildare: P McKenna; P Kelly, D Flaherty, C Gordan; G Johnson, K Murphy, D Keane; E Dempsey, S O'Flynn; B Byrne, R Whelan, G Keegan; L Power, N Kenny, R Casey. Subs: C Egan for Whelan (ht), D Boyle for Kelly (34), S Ryan for Johnson (52), P Moran for Byrne (52), C Martin for Power (59). Referee: A Devine (Westmeath)